On the 8th Day of Christmas my True Love Gave To Me...

8 diarrhea diapers
7 bum baths
6 Muppets' Christmas
5 ornaments on one branch
4 snotty noses
3 foolish squabbles
2 tired parents

and a rainy tri-ip to the treeeeeeee farrrrrrrrm!!

It is SO about the presents.

You know what I am totally sick of? Comments like this: "Well, Christmas really isn't about the presents anyway...."

What the...? I mean, when did Christmas ever become not about the presents?! My mom made the above comment to me recently along with this one: "What I'm hearing you say is that it's not really about you getting presents so much as it's about you giving presents." Um... nooo. Who doesn't like to get presents?! I love getting presents!! And I love giving presents!! I just like presents!

Now, I don't like extravagance and crazy mall shopping or the thought of people going into debt over Christmas presents. What I do like is a little bit of shopping in some quaint little stores, creatively and thoughtfully finding gifts that I know will be PERFECT for the people I chose them for, teaching my children how to be creative, thoughtful and generous, teaching my children how to appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness of someone else's gift to them, buying the $10 tank tops on-line for someone else because who wouldn't love them as much as you do?, making special gifts that create lasting memories, opening a present that you never thought you wanted but is absolutely perfect.... who doesn't love all those things? Christmas is about giving! It includes the smallest of gifts - like a batch of cookies for your neighbor - and the greatest of gifts - like the gift of Jesus to the world!

And, here's another thought - what joy would there be in giving presents if there wasn't some bright, shining face on the other end to receive it?! There would be none! This is why I hate all these ways that people have come up with in order to not give gifts - gift exchanges, gift games, drawing names, no gifts at all - just "being together" (gag me).... Have we all become so lazy and uncreative that we can't go out and buy a little ornament or pair of socks or cozy shirt or box of stationary or basket of fruit or EVEN BETTER - summer sausage and cheese (you know you love it) or good book or new cd or bottle of lotion.... you get the picture. If you need ideas let me know - I am way good at this. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money - usually it just has to be something you would like to receive and you think someone else might like to receive. And how about this for a thought? If you don't want to buy a present for someone? DON'T!! That's even worse - a present bought out of obligation? OR - this is a really novel idea - even if you don't feel like giving a present how about just giving something little and from the heart that would BLESS someone? A hand-made-and-painted-by-your-kids ornament? A Christmas mix cd. A Starbucks gift card - WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT?! And they even come in those cute little stockings this year! Ok, somebody stop me.

And while we're on the topic of presents - take a read at this one... and this one. See what I mean?

It is SO about the presents people!

And for your viewing enjoyment - recent pictures of three of my most favorite presents of all time.

YWAM Denver

I was shocked and saddened this morning to receive an e-mail from my friend Elizabeth. She and I went to high school together and she became a Christian in college. I have watched her faith and service for the Lord grow over the last 10 or so years - she is a beautiful and zealous servant for Him. We recently began supporting her full-time missionary work with Youth With A Mission in Denver, CO. and she sends us regular updates on her ministry there.

This morning she reported that 4 staff members were shot last night while at a Christmas party on campus. Two died in surgery and the other two are still in pretty serious condition. You can read a full article here.

So... what is there to possibly think of all this? The only One I know who has any answers to this type of tragedy is the Lord. He brought this to mind this morning. I hope it encourages you in every area of your life that seems without hope.

Matthew 10:28-31

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Yes, sin is real. Evil is in this world and God, by His own loving law, does not control us like robots but allows people to make their own choices. But He is still sovereign. He sees and He cares and has provided hope beyond death. He carries out His plans for us despite evil attempts to thwart it. He gives redemption (making good out of what is terrible) for our sinfulness.

While We're Talking Shopping...

I just bought this from Janie and Jack:
Isn't it adorable? I know, even on sale it is a bit pricey for a 2 year old. But I am such a sucker for fire engine stuff and $31 is better than $42. I've been waiting - hoping it would go on sale before Christmas. Yay!

Ok, so I bought the socks and the hat too. So what?

Thanks Mormons!

While there are many things I may disagree about with the mormons - their knack for designing modest, stylish clothing can't be disputed. And since my favorite clothing store of all time closed down (Janeville - the "mom" store of Janie and Jack) I am loving the clothes over at Downeast Basics.

I just bought this (in navy):

Won't it look so cute with a pair of brown boots?
Or over a pair of jeans with high heels?

I also have this:

Even though I think it's adorable - I can't help but think
that my arms do look a bit sausage-like with the elastic on the sleeves.
Thank you What-Not-To-Wear ladies for that image.

This is also on it's way:

I'm a little bummed about this one 'cause I really wanted it
in black but I waited too long and they only had grey left. Oh well.
You win some...

And the cute top you see in this picture is also from there:

My friend Jodi wore it for her daughter's one year old
polka dot themed birthday party. Cute huh?
That's my friend Andrew that I've known since elementary school.
I knew him from the "gifted" program we were in together.
Now? He's a cheerleading coach. Bet you could never guess that one...

(Hahaha! I just read back over this - you know what I do? Teach aerobics! So gifted)

I also own several of their camis which I love and wear under everything. They come up high so I can wear them under things that are cleavage prone. They also keep me especially cozy and warm in this Northwest winter weather.

I am loving internet shopping this Christmas and am going to buy some things for my sisters-in-law from Downeast. Happy shopping!

Finally! 7 Things!

This one's for Martha. Even though I would much rather be taking a nap right now...

The truth is, I have been procrastinating on this just a little bit. For some reason I had it in my mind that I needed to find the absolute most important seven things about myself to tell. After all, I may never get another chance. I got over that one.

1. Yes, Cutzi is my real name. It is a native Mexican name (Purepecha) and means "moon".

2. I was raised mostly by my mother in a mostly Polish family even though I am half Mexican. I haven't seen my real father since I was three and in the last several years have met several brothers and sisters from him. I grew up an only child, turns out I'm one of probably 10.

3. Speaking of siblings - I have a younger brother and sister from my mother. She got re-married when I was 18 and had Abbey (10) and Gabe (8). They're Aunt Abbey and Uncle Gabe to my kids and they're the best aunt and uncle around. In case you're wondering - 21 years between Abbey and I.

4. My major in college was Spanish, minor in Communication even though I'm still two or 3 quarters away from my BA. Phooey on that little slip of paper. I don't want anyone writing me and telling me I should finish. I'll get it if I need it.

5. I played the viola for 17 years and also sing. I haven't really picked up my viola since college though. Except for when they asked me to play in a quartet at church a couple years ago. I sat down and embarrassingly confessed to the impeccably dressed older woman beside me that I hadn't played for years. It was then that she shared with me that she plays for the Seattle Symphony. Nice.

6. Both of my children came from other womens' uteri. Justin and I have been married for 7 years and after 5 years of nothing really happening in the conception area, and knowing that we wanted to adopt, we decided to go ahead and pursue it. Both situations were miraculous, as are all children. Maybe some day I'll share about them.

7. Oh no! This is my last one! I have so many more things I want to share about myself! All this talking about me - I love it. Hmmmm.... Well, probably the most encompassing thing about me is that I am so, so sinful. The older I get, the more I am reminded of it. I say and do things all the time that I absolutely regret. I am often prideful, selfish, self-absorbed, uncaring, thoughtless, rude... and the list goes on. Fortunately, this sinfulness has allowed me to realize my greatest need - that of forgiveness and the hope to be different through knowing the love of the God that created me and saved me from all my sinfulness. Yes, I go to church. Yes, I go to Bible Study. Yes, I try to live a moral life. But far more important than doing those things is that every time I mess up (which will be until the day I die) there is a merciful, forgiving God waiting there to change the ugly things in me and give me the hope of heaven. I don't know where I would be without that peace.

The View From Where I'm Sitting

With the current state of weather here I'm hoping I'll finally get some time to sit down and answer Martha's tag today.

For now, a view from where I sit:


Our little house in the snow this morning:


My Martha Stewart houses on the dining room table (I'm quite proud of them):


A snowy shot of our bunch at the lighted Christmas parade last night (sadly, I forgot to take any pictures at our get-together afterward):

The snow is totally coming down!! It's rare enough around here that this is a real treat. Hooray for global warming!! We were supposed to do the advent reading at church today but we decided to stay home warm and cozy instead. The thought of bundling up a two year old and a ten month old, switching car seats into the tough car (an '83 Volvo wagon) and venturing out to church didn't sound very appealing. So we're home. Loving it. Stay tuned - I'll probably be back later.